But the NHLPA began another round of voting Thursday at 6 p.m. on whether to authorize its executive board to dissolve the union, if it so chooses. The voting will end 6 p.m. Saturday.

The vote is just a formality. It passed resoundingly last time (706-22) and should easily pass again. It doesn't necessarily mean the NHLPA will disband, but it would give the union back some leverage in talks with the NHL.

If the union were disbanded, players would be free to file antitrust lawsuits against the league in an attempt to end the lockout, which has reached 110 days.

The sides did not conduct a full bargaining session on Thursday. A small group of NHLPA staff and players attended an afternoon meeting in New York that included NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr. The sides had separate meetings in the evening with a mediator. Talks with the mediator are set to continue Friday at 10 a.m.

Both sides cited progress late Wednesday night, but several issues remain unresolved.